Art and apparatus for warfare



'June 15 1926.

R. s. BLAIR ART AND APPARATUS FOR WARFARE Filed May 29, 1924 3Sheets-Sheet 1 anw/wtoz W Z 6% x x v Q9 R June 15 1926. 1,588,932

R. s. BLAIR I ART AND APPARATUS FOR WARFARE Filed May 29, 1924 3Sheets-Sheet 2 June 15, 1926. 1,588,932

R. s. BLAIR ART AND APPARATUS FOR WARFARE Filed May 29, 1924 3Sheets-Sheet 5 //6 f 7 4 4 \Z Q /d r A r 7 M4 /0/ v t M //0 mi l m0 a//4 m6 -\W vwv Patented June 15,-.1926.

PATENT caries.

ROBERT S. BlLAIB, OF STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT.

ABT AND APPARATUS FOR WARFARE.

Application med Kay 29, 1924. Serial in. 716,614.

This. invention relates to warfare and more particularly to torpedoes ormines and the art or methods of operating the same.

One of the objects ofthe invention is to provide a .device of the abovegeneral nature adapted to operate reliably to disable an enemy vessel.Another object is to provide a practical device of the above naturecapable of traveling accurately and without human control to strike anobject. Another object is provide such a device adapted to travel towardand strike a vessel moving in any course. Another object is to provide adevice of the above nature adapted 1 to be maintained in readiness andautomar tically launched at the. proper 'time to strike and disable avessel. Another object is to provide a practical and eflicient art ofdisabling' enemyvessels which may be conveniently and effectivelycarried on. Other objects will be in part obvious or in part pointed outhereafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combinations of elements, arrangements of parts and in the several stepsand relation and order of each of the same to one or more of the othersall as will be illustratively described herein, and the scope of theapplication of 80 which will be indicated in the following claims. V

In the accompanying drawings in which are shown one-or more variouspossible, embodiments of the several mechanical features I! of thisinvention Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through the device thesection being taken along a lateral plane. I

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section in a 60 vertical plane.

Figure 3 is a diagrammatice representa tion of electric circuit shown inFigures 1 and 2. a

Figure 4 is a section taken substantially 4 along thelineof Figure 1showing a modified jormof certain parts.

Fig re is. se pn along the ofgFigure-A. Figure.

form of valve mechanism employed in the pa atusj ffigieeal and 2.

Figure 7 is a section substantially along the line 7-7 of Figure 6.

Flgure 8 is a sect on along the line 88 of Figure 6 with certain addedparts to bring out their relative positions.

Figure 9 is a section through an anchorlug means not shown in precedingfigures.

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 6 on a larger scale and showingparts omitted from Figure 6.

Figure 11 is a detail of certain parts shown in Figure 10. 1

Figure 12 is an enlarged view of a circuit-closing mechanism shown inFigure 1.

Figure 13 is a section along the line 1313 .of Figure 12.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings.

Referringnow to drawings in detail, there is diagrammatically shown acasing 10 having preferably the general outlines of a marine torpedo.The head 1O thereof is adapted to contain an' explosive charge which,upon the torpedo striking an object, is adapted to explode in the usualmanner with destructive force. At the rear end of the torpedo is apropeller 11 adapted to be diven by suitable driving means to propel thetorpedo through the water. As illustrative of a suitable means, there isshown a motor 12 adapted to be driven by compressed air contained withina storage reservoir or tank 13. The supply of compressed air to themotor 12 is controlled by avalve mechanism indicated gen- Figures 1 and2 of the orally at 14 in Figures 1 and 2, which valve mechanism will belater described in detail. The motor 12 is adapted to rotate thepropeller ,11 through a drive shaft 15, these parts may be of anywell-known type.

For controlling the direction of travel of the torpedo through thewater, there are.

provided at-the rear end thereof, apairof being not shown in detail,since theying the two opposite parts of. the pivoted strength tend tohold the rudder 18 in rudder 17 serves as a depth controlling rudder.The rudder 17 is preferably hinged on ,longitudinal vanes 19, as shownin Figure .1, and (as shown in Figure 2) its position is controlled byan .arm 20 wh ch is rigidly connected to a pin 21 extendlng through thetorpedo casing 10 and connectrudder blade 17.' A pair of springs 22 ofequal strength tend to hold the rudder 17 in central position, as shownin the drawing.

The rudder 18 is pivoted upon a non--v of the arm 24 connected to theurudder.,18-.

is positioned between a pair of electro-mag nets 26 and 27 The positionof the rudder 18 is therefore controlled by these electromagnets andwhen one is energized to a greater extent than the other the rudder isswung to one side or the other. As shown 1 in Figure 2, the arm 20'connected to the rudder 17 is positioned at its forward end between apair of .electromagncts 28 and 29. --The position of the rudder 17 isthere fore controlled-by these electromagnets 28 and 29, and when one isenergized to a greater extent than the other, the rudder 17 is swungtoone side or the other. The electromagnets. 26, 27, 28 and 29 may thuscontrol the direction of movement .of the torpedo in'both a horizontalplane and a vertical plane. I

' Positioned forward of the compressed air tank 13 is a storage battery30, one terminal of which is connected through a lead wire 31 to thecoil ,of the e'lectromagnet 26, through a-- lead wire 32 to the coil ofthe electromagnet 27, through a lead wire 33 with the coil of theelectromagnet 28, and through a lead wire 34 with the coil of theelectroimagnet 29. The other terminal of the battery 30 is connected by.a lead. wire 35 with an armature 36, and by alead wire 37 with anarmature 38. The armatures '36 and 38 are pivoted at their centers asindicated at 39 and 40 respectively. F

The pivoted\armature 36 is provided" at its ends with a pair of contactpoints 41 and 42. The contact 41 is adapted to make contact withtheterminal of a lead wire 43 which passes to the, wincling of theelectromagnet 27. When the armature 36 is swung therefore so thatcontact is made at 41, a circuit is completed from the battery 30through the electromagnet' 27, energlzlng this magnet, tending to draw.the arm 24 in this direction. The contact point 42 on the armature 36-isadapted to make con-.

tact with the terminal of a lead wire 44 42, 45 and 46.

which is connect'ediwith the windingofthe.

electromagnet 26. When the armature 36 is swung therefore so thatcontact is made .at 42, a circuit is completed from the bat- -20 towarditself, moving the rudder 17.

The contact 46 is adapted to. make contact with-the terminal of a leadwire 48 which is connected with the winding of the electroinagnet 28..When the armature 38 there-' fore is swung so that contact is made at46,-a circuit is completed from the battery 30 through the.electromag'net 28 which is thus energized and tends to draw the arm 20to swing the rudder 17. It,will thus be seen that the direction-ofmovement of the torpedo in both a vertical-plane and horizontal planemay be controlled by making and breaking the contact at the points 41,

Positioned forwardly of the armatures 36 and 38, is a battery 49. Oneterminal of the battery 49 is 'connected through switch mechanisms,which will later-be described in detail, thence through a lead50 and byseparate parallel leads 51, 52, 53 and 54 respectively with theterminals of microphones 55, 56, 57 and 58 respectively. The

other terminal of the battery- 49 is connected througha coil 59 and lead60 withthe other terminal of the microphone 55, I

through a coil 61 and lead 62 with the other terminal of the microphone56,.through a."

coil-63 and lead 64 with the other terminal of the microphone 57, andthrough a coil 65 and lead 66 with the other terminal of the'microphone58. The .coi1 59 is positioned about a core 67 forming part of thearmature 36 so that when this coil is energized the armature 36 is swungto make;

contact at 42. The coil 61 is positionedabout a core 68. forming part ofthe ar-- mature 36 so that when this coil is energized, the armature36-is swung tomake contact at 41. The coil 63is' positioned about a core69 forming part of the .armature 38 so that when this coil is energized,the armature 38 is swung. to make contact at 46. The, coil 65 ispositioned about a core 70 I forming part of the 'armature 38' I so thatwhen this coil is energized the ar- Q mature 38 is swung to make contactat 45.

The microphones. 55, 56,.- 57 and 58 are.

positioned adjacent the forward end of the torpedo, preferably inrecesses therein, as

shown, and are responsive to vibrations scribed. It will be seen thatsound waves striking the microphone 55, for example, cause. a current toflow through the coil 59 which swings the armature 36, making contact at42. This energizes theelectromagnet 26 which swings the rudder 18 todirect the torpedo in the direction from 'which the sound waves areproceeding. In

like manner sound waves striking the microphone 56, efi'ect a turning ofthe rudder 18 to steer the torpedo toward the source of these soundwaves, and sound waves striking the microphones 57 and 58, efiect aturning of the rudder 17 to steer the torpedo toward the source of,these sound waves.

Thus the torpedo propelled through the water by the motor 34 isautomatically steered toward a source of sound. The torpedo will thustravel toward a moving vessel the propeller of which creates adisturbance in the water and will follow the vessel even though ittravels in' a'changing course until it strikes the vessel and explodes.When the torpedo is moving in the proper course, directly toward itstarget, the microphones 55, 56, 57 and 58 being symmetrically disposed,receive the same intensity of sound wave from the target and the torpedoproceeds in a straight path toward the target. Immediately, however,that the position of the source of sound changes with respect to thedirection of movement of the torpedo, the rudder controlling mechanismis operated to correct the direction of travel.

For the sake of simplicity in construction,

the two armatures 36 and 38 may be substituted, as shown in Figures 4and 5, by a single plate 71 which is adapted to be attracted byelectromagnets 59", 61*, 63 and 65, in'place of the coils 59, 61, 63 and65 respectively. This armature plate 71 may be loosely mounted, as shownin Figure 5, upon a fixed supporting-shaft 72. The action of these partsis substantially the same as above described with regard to thearmatures 36 and 38 of Figures 1 and 2, and their operation will readilybe understood 'from the above.

v Referring now to Figure 6, there is shown the compressed air reservoir13, the motor 12 preferably p0 and a supply pipe 73 adapted to lead thecompressed air from the tank to the motor to drive the latter.Interposed in this supply pipe 7 3 is a valve mechanism which is adaptedto open and close to intermittently cut oil the supply of compressed airto the motor. This valve mechanism may take the form of a worm wheel 7 4supported within a casing 7 5 and driven by a worm 7 6 secured upon ashaft 77 which is driven by suitable mechanism within the motor 12. Thisworm wheel 74 has a circular segmental slot 78 therein which is adaptedto register with the passage through-the pipe 73. Thus, as the wormwheel 7 4 is slowly rotated, during its period of rotation when the slot 78 is in reglstry with the pipe 73, power is delivered to the engine12, but during the interval when the unslotted portion of the wheelregisters with the pi e73, the power supply is cut off. Duringt islatter interval, while the power supply to the engine is out oil, theinertia of the moving torpedo is suificient to maintain its movementthrough the water, and the propeller 11, during this interval, turns theengine over to keep the Wheel 74 in rotation until the slot 78 againcomes into registry with the supply pipe 73. The driving power beingthus intermittently cut off from the motor 12, the vibration occasioned.by the drive is intermittently interrupted, and during this interval ofinterruption of the engine vibration, the nicrophones are afforded anopportunity to listen free from local sound waves from the torpedoitself to more efliciently pick up the sound waves from the target andproperly direct the course of the torpedo.

Referring again to Figure 1, one terminal of the battery 49, as wasmentioned above, is connected through certain switch mecha nisms to thelead 50. One of these switch mechanisms is connected in series betweenthe'lead 50 and the battery 49. through a pair of leads 79 and 80. Asshown in Figures 6 and 8, there is mounted adjacent the face of the gearwheelj74, a block of insulating material 81, which may be supported inany suitable manner." Supported upon this block 81 are a pair of contactmembers 82 and 83 which are thus insulated from each other. The lead 80is connected to the con tact 83 and the lead 79 is connected to thecontact 82 so that, without electrical con nection between the contacts82 and 83, the circuits through the battery 49- and microphones 55, 56,57 and 58 are broken.

. Mounted upon the face of the wheel 78 is a circular segmental contactstrip 84 which is insulated from the wheel 74, as shown in Figure 6, andslides in a circular slot through the casing 75 as the wheel 74 rotates.This contact strip 84 is adapted to bridge the two contacts 82 and 83,making electrical connection therebetween as it roj in;

tates thereover, thus closing the microphone circuits. The contact strip84 is of such length and is'so positioned upon the wheel 74, that themicrophone circuits are open when the slotted portion 78 is in registrywith thesupply pipe 73, and the microphone circuits are closed :when theunslotted portion of the wheel 7 4 is in registry with the feed pipe 73.Thus, during the intervals when the engine 12 is being driven, themicropliones are inoperative, and during the; intervals when the powersupply to the enf glue is cut oil, and the engine vibrations cease, themicrophones are operative to direct the path of the torpedo. In thismanner an accurate steeringby the listening microphgnes toward thetarget of the torpedo is V This torpedo maybe launched in the usualmanner, or. it may be anchored in readiness to automatically starttoward a target such ,as the vibratingpropeller of a vessel. The engineof the torpedo being positioned 'ad jacent the rear end thereof, therear end is heavier than the forward end, so that the torpedo resting inthe water tendsnormally' to assume an endwise vertical position, as

I indicated in Figure 9. In this figure there is shown a simple form ofanchoring means. Through the non-rotating extension 23, upon which therudder 18 ispivoted, is formed a transverse openin a 85. Through this 0ening extends a rod 86 which is pivote at one end 87 to a housing 88.This housing 88 may be firmly anchored .as by means of The upper wall ofclaws 89, for example. the housing 88 is formed preferably by a lightcover- 90, for example of sheet-metal forming a water-tight closure. Therod 86 at its'end opposite thehinge 87 issprung downwardly andinterlocked with the housing 88 and the cover 90 and 91 in such mannerthat when the cover 90 is blown-outwardly, as will bedescribed, thisendof the F rod 86 and '91 is released.

. Positioned in the wall of the housing 488 r is a microphone 92 whichis responsive to vibrations from the exterior. This microphone 92 isconnected to a storage battery 93 and a coil 94 contained within thehousing 88. Also within the housing 88 is a secondary circuit comprisinga coil 95 adjacent the coil 94 and sparking points 96, In the liottom ofthe housing 88' is positioned a charge of. explosive material 97'adjacent to which are positoned the sparking points 96.

Thus when the microphone 92 is properly affected by vibrations from .theexterior, a. ourrent is induced-in thelseco'ndary coil 9'5'causing aspark at the points 96 and exploding the charge 97. This results in ablowing out of ."the cover 90, releasing the end of the rod 86 at 91,.as above described..- This, as will be seen, releases the torpedo fromits ancho rage.

.'-.When the torpedo is thus anchored, it is desirable that the circuitsthrough the mi- .crophones 55, 56, '57 and 58 be normally opened inorder to avoid unnecessary dis- 0 l arging of. the battery 49.Referring'again' to Figure 1 the forward terminal of the battery 49'isseen to be connected through a 1ead'125 to the contact member 129 of aswitch mechanism the other contact me1nbe1"*"- 130 of which isconnectedbya lead 126 with the lead 79. This switch mechanism isactuated by a diaphragm 128 positionedinthe from the exterior. Thesemore-clearly, and in larger etail, in Figures 12 and 13. Referring tothese figures, the sound responsive diaphragm 128 hasconnected' thereto.a 'light.arm- 131, the end of casing 10 and exposed to sound vibrationsarts are shown;

. which engages the periphery of a wheel 132.

This wheel 132 is rotatablymounted upon a stationary shaft 133 which maybe of .light construction and fixed and supported in-an'y suitablemanner. Theperiph'ery of. the wheel- 132 is provided with fine ratchetteeth with which the end of the arm 131 coacts. The

arm' 1 31.may .beiof light resilient material,

for example a lead spring which bears lightly upon the periphery of thewheel. Sound vlbrations striking the diaphragnr128 result in-a rapidvibration of the diaphragm which transmitted] through the arm 131 tothe.

ratch et wheel 132 rotates the ratchet wheel in the direction indicatedby the arrow in Figure 12.

When the torpedo is at anchorage," be1ng in an upright end-wiseposition, these parts are as illustrated in Figure 12. The ratchettoothed periphery of the wheel 132 is flanged over as shown at l32 'inFigure 13 and this peripheral flange- 132 is provided with an internalgear 134. Rotatably mounted upon the shaft 133 is a second wheel 135which is positioned within the flange 132 and has about its peripherygear teeth similar to, and positioned opposite the internal gear 134.

. Inter'posed between the wheel 135 and the the inner surface of the hub135 and the 1 surface of the collar 137 is a hair-spring 139.

The two contact members 129 and 130 to I which are connected therespective leads and 126, as shown in, and above described with regardtozFigure 1 are positioned'adjacent the contact arm 138. Normallygwhilethe torpedo is at anchorage the parts "are in the P95131011 shown inFigure 12, there being no connection between the contact members I Q 129and and hence-noconnection between the leads 125 and 126. so that thecircuits throughthe microphones 55, 56, .57 and 58 138 across thecontacts 129 and 130 completin the microphone circuits.

ormally the gear 136 is preferably positioned with respect to the centerof rotation of the-wheels 132 and 135 substantially as shown in Figure12. When the diaphragm 128 is afiected by vibrations from the exterioras by those from the propeller of a vessel, its vibrations aretransmitted through the arm 131 and rotate the wheel 132 in thedirection indicated by the arrow. This rotation is comparatively slowand the small gear 136 is not rotated thereby about its own axis, butserves temporarily as a fixed-connection between the wheel 132 and thewheel 135 rotating the latter with the former and in the same direction:In order to insure the non-rotation of the small gear 136 about its ownaxis at this stage, it is provided with an air vane 140 secured to anaxial pin 141 thereon. This rotation of the wheel 135 with the wheel 132through the hair-spring 139 turns the collar 137 moving the contact arm138 into contact with the members 129 and 130, making electricalconnection therebetween. The circuits through the microphones aretherefore closed and the microphones'are rendered operative to controlthe torpedo.

Providing the vibrations which affect the diaphragm 128 as abovedescribed to close the circuit between the contacts 129 and 130 are notsufiicient to effect the release and launching of the torpedo, andproviding these vibrations thereafter cease, a means is provided foragain opening the circuit at the contacts 129 and 130 and restoring theparts to normal position with the battery 49 on open circuit.Mountedupon the wheel 135 is a smallweight 142 which, assoon as thevibratory drive from the diaphragm 128 to the wheel 132 ceases, rotatesthe wheel 135 back in a counter clockwise direction. The

arm 131 prevents the wheel 132 from rotatng in a counter clockwisedirection, but dur- 1ng such rotation of the wheel 135 the gear 136rotates slowly about its axis permitting relative rotation of the twowheels. As the wheel 135 thus rotates counter clockwise the contact arm138 is moved again to the position shown in Figure 12 and the parts arein position to again close the circuit upon vibration of the diaphragm128.

Thus, when the torpedo is placed at anchor, the listening microphones55, 56, 57 and 58 are inoperative. As soon however as the diaphragm 128is vibrated in response to. vibrations such as those proceeding fromthepropeller of a vessel, contact is made between the leads 125 and 126by the contact arm 138 completing the microphone circuits and renderingthem opera-' tive to control the torpedo. When the torpedo has beenreleased from its anchorage and automatically started toward its target,as will presently be described, the torpedo assumes a lateral positionsubstantially as shown in Figure 2 in moving through the water. As shownin Figure 12, there is preferably provided a small casing 143 which maybe spherical in shape andinto which projects a'wire 144 from the lead125 and a wire 145 from the lead 126. Within this casing is providedmercury 146 which more than half fills the casing, surrounding the wire144, but not the wire 145" when the torpedo is in endwise position atanchorage. \Vhen the torpedo assumes a lateral position moving throughthe water the mercury 146 assumes a different osition within the casing143 surrounding both the wires 145 and 144. Electrical connection istherefore made through the mercury through the leads 125 and 126 shortcircuiting the contacts 129 and 130. Thus after the torpedo is launchedand is moving through the water, the contact arm 138 is no longer reliedupon to maintain the electrical connection between the leads 125 and 126to render the microphones ,operative.

When the torpedo is at anchor, as above described, the gear wheel 74 isso positioned that the contact strip 84 thereon bridges the contacts 82and 83 closing thereat the circuits of the microphones 55, 56, 57 and58. The supply pipe 73 to the motor 12 is thus closed, the motor beingat rest and the propeller 11 stationary. The parts are shown in thisposition in Figures 10 and 11. In Figure 10, there is also shown amechanism for automatically starting the propulsion of the torpedo fromits anchorage, which mechanism is omitted in Figure 6, for the sake ofclarity in the drawings. There is shown a by-pass pipe 98 for the feedpipe 73 connected thereto at either side of t e gear vwheel 74. \Vithinthis pipe 98 is a valve 99, for example, of the butterfly type shown.Thus when the valve 99 is opened regardless of the gear wheel 74 closingthe main passage to the engine 12, a supply of compressed air isadmitted to the engine. This is employed in starting the torpedo fromanchorage, as will be described.

The parts, as shown in Fi ures 10 and 11, are in what may be termestarting position, that is their osition when the topedo is at anchor.As as been mentioned, the contact member 84 is bridged across thecontacts 82 and 83 so that the circuits of the microphones ,55, 56, 57and 58 are closed thereat. The valve 99 is operated by a lever 100 whichis normally held in closing position by a pivoted latch 101 and a spring102. Connected across the contacts 82 and 83 by magnet 105. This magnet105 is positioned so that when energized, it attracts the latch 101lifting the latch away from the valve controlling lever 100.

Connected to the contact 83 is a lead 107 passing to one end of a secondelectromagnet 108, from the other end of which "passes a lead- 106 toacontact member or brush 106.

' closed position, but is not ofsufficient strength to overcome the pullof the magnet 108. A spring 109 tends tohold the latch 101 down, but isnot of suflicient strength to overcome the pull of the magnet 105 whenthe latter is energized.

Normally the torpedo being anchored and the water about the microphones55, 56, 57 and 58 being substantially free from sound vibrations, themicrophones are on open circuit and inoperative, the circuitclos'ingmechanism shownin Figures 12 and 13 being open. As soon, however, assound waves, as from the propeller of a vessel,

- afi'ect the diaphragm 128 causing the arm 138 to move against thecontact members 129 and 130, the microphones are rendered operative.These sound waves afiecting one or more of the microphones cause currentto flow therethrough from the battery49. This current energizes theelectro'magnets 105 and 108. The electromagnet 105 liftsthe latch 101and the electromagnet 108 thereupon immediately opens the valve 99 andthe engine upon alever 112 pivoted at 113. This lever 112 1s urged to ina counterclockwise 12 started. The coil of the electromagnet 105 isconnected through a pair of contacts 110 and 111, the contact 111 beingcarried direction by a spring 114 to break the circuit of theelectromagnet 105, but is normally restrained from such swinging bycontact with a lever 115 pivoted at 116., This lever 115 is pivoted at117 to the latch 101. Upon the latch 101 moving upwardly under theurging of the magnet ,105, as above described, the right-hand end of thelever 115 4 moves downwardly, permitting the lever 112 to slip thereoverunder theur e of the spring 114 and to swing to the otted line position,breaking the circuit of the magnet 105-. The ,latch 101 thereforeimmediatelydrops to its normal position. i

v At this point the electromagnet 108 is op-- V erative tohold the valve99 open. The engine 12 is therefore driy n and the gear wheel 74starts-to rotate.

As soon as the gear wheel '74 rotates until the contact strip 84-. movesout of engagement with the contact meniber106, the electromagnet 108 isde-energized. This permits the spring 102 to draw the valve 99 to closedposition, the top" of the lever 100 slipping beneath the latch 101 andthe latter again dropping into locking position. Itwill be seen-thatthere-.

after further energizing of the coil 108, when the contact strip 84again moves into engagement with the contact 106, will be I ineifectiveto open the valve 99' against the action of the latch 101. The breakingof engagement between' the contact strip 84 and the contact 106? occursjust as the slotted portion 7 8 of the gear wheel '74 moves intoregistry with the pipe 73. Thereafter the by-pass pipe 98 isinoperativeand the torpedo is driven, as above described, withintermittent propulsion of the motor.

' Preferably the microphones 55, 56, '57 and 58 are made more sensitivethan the microphone 92, which acts to cause the release of the anchoringmeans. Thus before, the torpedo is released, the microphones 55, 56,

57 and 58 'may operateto start the driveof the motor and the rotation ofthe propeller and to adjust therudders 17 and 18 so as to properlydirection the torpedo before it is released. As shown in Figure 9, theopening 85 through which the anchoring rod 86 extends, is preferablyenlarged at each end so that a this directioning of the torpedo, whilestill anchored, may take place. The torpedo having been released fromits anchorage by the, microphone 92 operating, as a has been described,will thereupon travel toward its target with a high. degree of accuracy.e From the above it will be seen that there are herein provided an artand apparatus for carrying on the'same which embody the features of thisinvention and attain the ob jects thereof, and that the same are 'welladaptedto meet the requirements of practical operation. It may be herenoted that the term torpedo as employed herein is to be interpreted in abroad sense throughout to comprehend generally devices of the nature ofa torpedo or other projectile adaptedto move throughthe water or air tostrike a target with destructive effect.

As many possible embodiments may be made of they mechanical features ofthe above invention and as the art herein described might be varied in'various parts all matter herein set forth or shown'in the accom anyin Iclaim-as my invention:-

1. 'In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a torpedo,means for propelling said torpedo, means responsive to [withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention, it is to be understood thatall drawings is to be interpreted l as i ustrative andnot in a limitingsense.

sound vibrations adapted to control the direction of movement of saidtorpedo, and means adapted intermittently to render ineffective saidpropelling means during movement of said torpedo.

2. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a torpedo,means for propelling said torpedo, means responsive to sound vibrationsadapted to control the direction of movement of said torpedo, and meansadapted intermittently to render said controlling means ineffectiveduring movement of said torpedo.

3. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a torpedo,means for propelling said torpedo, means responsive to sound vibrationsadapted to control the direction of movement of -iid torpedo, meansadapted intermittently to render said propelling means ineffectiveduring movement of said torpedo, and means adapted to render saidcontrolling means effective while said propelling means is ineffectiveand to render said controlling means ineffective while said propellingmeans is eifective.

4. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a torpedo,means for anchoring said torpedo, and automatic means adapted to causesaid'torpedo at anchorage to point toward a target.

5. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a torpedo,means for anchoring said torpedo, and means responsive to soundvibrations adapted to cause said torpedo at anchorage to point towardthe source of said vibrations.

6. In-apparatus of the character described, in combination, a torpedo,means for anchoring said torpedo, and means adapted upon the approach ofa vessel to cause said torpedo at anchorage to point toward said vessel.

7. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a torpedo,means for anchoring said torpedo, means adapted upon the approach ofavessel to cause said torpedo at anchorage to point toward said vessel,and means adapted subsequently upon the closer approach of said vesselto release said torpedo from said anchoring means.

8. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a torpedo,means for anchoring said torpedo, means contained within said torpedoand normally inoperative adapted to propel said torpedo, means adaptedupon the approach of a vessel to render operative said normallyinoperative propelling means and means adapted subsequently to releasesaid torpedo from said anchoring means.

9. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a torpedo,means.

for anchoring said torpedo, means contained within said torpedo andnormally inoperative adapted to propel said torpedo, sound responsivemeans adapted to steer said torpedo toward a source of sound, meansadapted upon the approach of a vessel to render operative said normallyinoperative propelling means, and means adapted subsequently to releasesaid torpedo from said anchoring means.

10. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a torpedo,means for anchoring sald torpedo, means contained -within said torpedoand normally inoperative adapted to propel said torpedo, soundresponsive means normally inoperative adapted to steer said torpedotoward a source of sound, means adapted upon the approach of a vessel torender operative said normally inoperative sound responsive means and torender operative said normally inoperative propelling means, and meansadapted subsequently to release said torpedo from said anchoring. means.

11. The herein, described art which consists in launching aself-propelled torpedo, subjecting the path of movement thereof tocontrol by vibration responsive means, and intermittently interruptingthe propulsion of said torpedo during movement thereof.

12.'The herein described art which consists in launching aself-propelled torpedo, intermittently interrupting the propulsion ofsaid torpedo during movement thereof, and subjecting the direction ofmovement of said torpedo to adjustment by vibration re sponsive meansduring interruption of said propulsion. a

13. The herein described art which consists in launching aself-propelled torpedo, and intermittently and substantiallysimultaneously interrupting the propulsion of said torpedo andsubjecting the direction of movement thereof to adjustment by meansresponsive to sound vibrations proceeding from its target.

14. Theherein described art which consists in anchoring a torpedo, andsubjecting the position of said torpedo at anchorage to adjustment byvibration responsive means that here in described, in combination, an

electric circuit, a switch in said circuit, a diaphragm adapted to beexposed to sound vibrations and responsive thereto, and a rotatablemember adapted to be rotated by vibrations of said diaphragm and adaptedto control said switch.

17. In apparatus of the general nature oi that herein described, incombination, a torpedo, sound responsive means adapted to controlthedirection of movement of said torpedo, and a second sound responsivemeans 19. In apparatus of the general nature of that herein described,in combination, a torpedo, an electric circuit normally inope'rativeadapted when operative to control the movement of said torpedo, and amechanically operated device responsive to sound vi brations adapted torender said electric circuitioperative.

20. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a torpedo,means for anchoring saidtorped0,'means contained within said torpedo andnormally inoperative adapted to propel said torpedo, means for steeringsaid torpedo, means responsive to sound vibrations adapted to controlsaid ,steering means to guide said torpedo toward a source oi sound,means responsive to.

sound vibrations adapted to renderoperative said normally inoperativepropelling means, and means responsive to sound vi-- brations adapted torelease said torpedo from said anchoring-fmeans, said first two soundresponslve means being more sensitlve than said last'sound responsivemeans.-

21. In apparatus of the character de-' scribed, in combination, atorpedo, means for propelling sald torpedo, electrical meansnormallyinoperative adapted to' start the actuation of said propellingmeans, means for steering said torpedo, sound responsive electricalmeans adapted to control said steering means to guide said torpedotoward a source of-sound,

a and mechanically operated means responsive two electrical meansoperative.

normally inoperative 22. In apparatus of the character described, incombination, a torpedo, means contained within said torpedo and normallyinoperative adapted to propel said torpedo, means responsive to soundvibrations adapted to propel said torpedo, means responsive to soundvibrations adapted to start said propelling means, means responsive tosound vibrations adapted to steersaid torpedo toward a source of sound,and means adapted at intervals to interrupt and re-start saidpropelling. means during movement of said torpedo. 1

23. In, apparatus of the character described, in combination, a torpedo,a motor therein, a propeller at the rear end of said torpedo adapted tobe driven bysaid motor v to propel said torpedo, means at the rear endof said torpedo adapted to steer said torpedo, sound responsive meansadjacent the forward portion of said torpedo connected to control saidsteering means and adapted to steer-said torpedo toward a source ofsound, and means adapted at'intervals during movement of said torpedo tointerrupt the drive of said motor.

24'. In apparatus of the character 'described, in combination, atorpedo, amoto'r therein, a propeller at the rearend of said torpedoadapted to be driven by said motor to propel said torpedo, means at therear end of said torpedo adapted to steer said torpedo, sound responsivemeans adjacent the forward portion of said torpedo connected 4 tocontrol said steering means and adapted to steer said torpedo toward asource of sound, means adapted at intervals'during movementof saidtorpedo to interrupt the drive of said motor and means adapted to rendersaid sound responsive. means operative while said motor vdrive isinoperative and to render said sound responsive means inoperative 'whilesaid motor drive is operative.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification this27th day of -May, 1924. r to sound vibrations adapted to render saidROBERT s. BLAIR. it

